Women
Ogwu Denies Sale Of FG’s Property In US
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof. Joy Ogwu, says she did not authorise the sale of any Federal Government property in Washington D.C. during her tenure as foreign minister from 2006-2007.
Ogwu gave the clarification in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Her comments came on the heels of her invitation by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs investigating the alleged embezzlement of 23.5 million dollars from the Nigerian embassy in Washington D.C.
The funds were said to be proceeds from the sale of three Federal Government houses in Washington D.C. between 2004-2007.
The Senate initiated the probe following a petition by one Mr David Elombah.
Ogwu said: “In a letter dated June 10, I was invited by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs on a petition concerning misappropriation and embezzlement of funds by the Nigerian ambassador to the U.S. and others.
“Paragraph two of the letter states that I am invited to the meeting in my capacity as former foreign affairs minister 2006-2007.
“In my testimony before the senate committee on June 27, it was categorically emphasised that I neither received any request nor granted authorisation to any ambassador concerning the sale of Nigerian properties in Washington D.C.
“Indeed, projects of such enormity are traditionally for the consideration of the Federal Executive Council.”
“It is very instructive to note that I was not invited to the Senate in my present capacity as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, because I am not under trial.
“I was invited in my capacity as former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria and the property and the attendant proceeds are in Washington D.C and I have absolutely nothing to do with it.”
The former minister noted that the clarification became pertinent following what she called “malicious misinformation” making the rounds in the media.
She observed that she had been erroneously portrayed as having appeared before the Senate in her capacity as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative at the UN.
“Some reports have even labelled me as a former Nigeria ambassador to the U.S., who succeeded Prof. George Obiozor.
“That is wrong because I have never been Nigerian Ambassador to the U.S,” she stressed.
Report recalls that on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affiairs strongly denied that 23 million dollars was embezzled at its diplomatic mission in Washington D.C.
The ministry statement came after Obiozor, Nigeria’s current Ambassador to U.S, Prof. Ade Adefuye, and Ogwu testified before the senate committee in a closed-door session.
According to the statement, “all monies involved in the sale of Federal Government properties were duly and completely accounted for.”
It went further to claim that the sales were duly authorised by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and appealed to the public to be patient and await the final report of the senate committee probing the allegation.
Women
Nigeria Deserves Stylish, Sophisticated Designs-Igiebor Daddy Lucky
IVY-K Fashion by Igiebor Daddy Lucky, a Nigerian-born designer now based in the UK, has launched the latest menswear line, Dapper Man.
One of the collection’s strengths is its classic, clean aesthetic. Dapper Man delivers sharp, structured suits in a timeless black and white color scheme that exudes a sense of luxury and professionalism. The use of high-quality fabrics like wool and silk ensures that the suits not only look high-end but also feel luxurious to the wearer. The designer’s focus on detail is evident in the meticulous tailoring, with fitted blazers and crisp trousers forming the foundation of the collection.
Where IVY-K Fashion shines is in the subtle yet elegant touches. The inclusion of beads as embellishments on lapels and cuffs adds a unique flair, blending traditional craft with modern tailoring. This nod to African heritage gives the collection a distinct identity, offering something more personal and culturally significant than your standard menswear line.
However, despite the elegance of the Dapper Man collection, there is a lingering sense of missed opportunity. The black-and-white color palette, while classic, feels overly safe. In a fashion landscape where bold colors and daring patterns often make the strongest impact, the collection could benefit from incorporating more vibrant hues or experimenting with unconventional fabrics. Pushing the envelope with color or texture could elevate these designs from simply elegant to truly memorable.
In addition, while the tailoring of the blazers and trousers is immaculate, the collection lacks a sense of playfulness or modern edge that many contemporary menswear lines are embracing. The suits are undoubtedly stylish, but the collection as a whole leans heavily on tradition. Experimenting with asymmetrical cuts, bold patterns, or even layering could add an exciting dimension to Dapper Man. The challenge is to maintain the sleek sophistication of the collection while infusing it with a fresh, innovative spirit.
Another area that could use improvement is the overall cohesion of the collection. While the suits are well-crafted, there is a feeling of repetition across the pieces. More variation in design, such as different lapel styles, pocket configurations, or even bolder accessories, would give the collection greater diversity and visual interest.
In conclusion, Dapper Man by Igiebor Daddy Lucky showcases the designer’s strong grasp of classic tailoring and elegant design, but to truly capture the attention of a broader audience, IVY-K Fashion would benefit from more daring choices. By infusing the collection with bold colors, unexpected textures, and a more modern edge, Dapper Man could move from a well-crafted line to a trendsetting force in men’s fashion. With such a solid foundation, there’s no doubt that Igiebor Daddy Lucky has the potential to lead his brand toward greater heights
Women
Women Can Curb Indecent Dressing
The trend of indecent dressing all in the name of fashion is fast becoming a norm in our generation and society at large. Most married women embrace this fashion as competition with single ladies.
Different scholars have given an in depth insight about dressing as a tool of communication. Non-verbal communication has been asserted as the communication between people by the means of signs or symbols. It conveys what we wish to disseminate to the public as either intentionally or not.
According to Paul Ekman and Michael Argyle, communication is carried out through what has been classified as “Presentational Code”. He listed nine codes of non-verbal communication, as body contact, facial expression, gestures, postures, eye movement, proximity, orientation, head nods and appearance.
This, being stated, married and single ladies should understand that their mode of dressing is communicative be it directly or indirectly as such body parts we call “private” are now being made public because of the trends or wearing of transparent dresses and this in turn calls on the attention of men who are weak and prone to illicit thoughts thus, resulting to most rape cases in our society.
This indecent dressing by most ladies has denied many their future husbands. The truth is that a man is attracted to his kind; his desires in marriage. It is often asserted that decency and beauty are in the eyes of the beholder, yet, in trending times of this 21st century, dress code and fashion in nudity form is gaining popularity.
This has become complicated as most men tend to toggle between their emotions (lust) and sanity (rationality) in terms of marriage, thereby setting a wrong foundation upon which most marriages are consummated.
On the other hand, most married women have embraced the trend of indecent dressing nipping it on the state of it being the choice dressing, approved by their spouses, leaving society with the question of what “responsible” man would prefer that the secrecy of the benefit of his marital vow has become the centre of attraction and viewership by the general public.
Hence, communicating with their dressing gas given licence to every male gender who is interested or attracted to what they see to make unsolicited sexual passes at them, which might be considered embarrassing.
At this juncture, it is important to state that ladies should dress decently knowing that they are the epitome of nation-building, they are nation-builders, character moulders and pacesetters not just in the lives of their families but to the society at large.
In most occasions, there are no clear border lines between the married women and the single ladies because of the rate of scanty dressing which has close the gap of differences.
Women and girls should embrace this call awakening to decent mode of dressing. Dresses that are meant to be worn indoors should remain indoors.
It is worrisome to see ladies wear shorts that are supposed to be worn in the living room on the streets without shame. This is an awakening call to our ladies, married and singles that the opposite sex do not expose their private body parts for the public. Sometimes, the ladies go about in the streets without wearing brazziers as to showcase their nipples.
The society should be sanitised of the menace of indecent dressing that is lurking and taking over the entire nooks and crannies of the society and the nation at large.
Let it be known that he or she is addressed in the manner he or she is dressed. There may be no room for a second impression. To the single ladies, your dressing decently will not stop you from meeting your Mr Right rather, it will increase your stake and place you on the list of most valued women in the society.
Dressing speaks louder than words.
Kate Chisom Isiocha
Isiocha is an OND final year student of Temple Gate Polytechnic.